Remote-control system



Oct. 20, 1953 H. R. PUTZ 2,656,472

REMOTE-CONTROL SYSTEM Filed March 17, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l SYM//m/voas565/- smeT/N6 /Va roe IN V EN TOR.

fr@ BY fryer/767 W Oct. 20, 1953 H. R. PUTz 2,656,472

REMOTE- CONTROL SYSTEM Filed March 17, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTR..prc/0r' Il? BY @Z1 ,6d-ff@ Patented Oct. 20, 1953 REMOTE-CONTROL SYSTEMHector Rawcliffe Putz, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,

assignor to McGraw Electric Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation ofDelaware Application March 17, 1951, Serial N o. 216,127

6 claims. l

This invention relates to a system of remote control of a plurality ofdifferent switches.

Systems in which high frequency carrier currents are superimposed onpower lines to control remotely located switches have been employed, butthese systems require expensive as well as elaborate equipment and arenot practical for all installations.

This invention is designed to overcome the above noted defects in remotecontrol systems and objects of this invention are to provide a remotecontrol system which is simple in construction and is relativelyinexpensive and which does not require the use of carrier currentgenerating and receiving equipment but, instead makes use of a singlepilot wire and simple types of receivers.

Further objects are to provide a system of remote control in whichdilferent groups of receivers may be selectively controlled though onlya single pilot wire is employed.

In greater detail, further obejcts are to provide a system of remotecontrol in which each receiver is so constructed that it has a cyclicperiod of operations for opening and closing switch means and in whichone group of receivers has a period of operation for a complete cyclewhich is double or a whole multiple of the period of a, complete cycleof operations of another receiver.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Figure 1 is a schematic View of the apparatus showing it connected tothe power line.

Figure 2 is a View of the cam and associated parts of one of thereceivers showing the receiver in the on position.

Figure 3 is a corresponding view showing the receiver in the offposition.

Figure 4 shows the position of the parts when a spurious signal has beenreceived.

Figure 5 shows the position of the parts when the cam moves back to oneof its zero or initial positions after cessation of the spurious signal.

` Referring to Figure 1, it will be seen that the power lines areindicated generally by the reference character I and a rst and a secondload by the reference characters 2 and 3, respectively. The rst receiveris indicated generally by the reference character 4 and the secondreceiver by the reference character 5. These receivers are provided, ineach instance, with a motor indicated by the reference characters 6 andl, respectively. These motors are connected to a pilot line 8 and thepilot line is supplied fromk the mains or other source of alternatingcurrent by means of a transmitter 9.

The first receiver 4 is provided with switch means indicated generallyby the reference character I0 arranged to control the rst mentioned load2 and the second receiver 5 is provided with switch means II arranged tocontrol the second load 3. The construction is such that either load maybe connected to or disconnected from the power line as will be apparentas the description proceeds.

t is to be understood that any number of receivers identical with thereceiver 4 and any number identical with the receiver 5 may be employedand may be connected as shown for the receivers 4 and 5.

The receivers 4 and 5 are identical with the single exception that themotor means B of the rst receiver -4 rotates its shaft I2 at half thespeed that the motor means 1 of the second receiver 5 rotates its shaftI3. For example, in a cycle system the motor means 6 may rotate theshaft 1/2 R. P. M. and the motor means 1 may rotate its shaft 1 R. P. M.

Each of the motors 6 and l is a self-starting synchronous motor and isconnected with its respective shaft by means of reduction gearing and anormally open magnetic clutch arranged to close when the respectivemotor is energized. The shafts I2 and I3 each are provided withidentical rst and second cams indicated by the reference characters I4and I5 and with identical cam followers I6 coacting with the cams I4.The cam I4 is provided with a plurality of short and long teeth Il andI8 which have slanting outer faces extending inwardly towards the centerof the shaft as the seating portions I9 of the teeth are approached.rThese seating portions I9 are adapted to receive the roller or cam'follower I6 and to thus determine the zero or initial position for thestart of any operation. This is secured by having the cam follower I6carried by means of a spring arm 20 which presses the cam follower I6inwardly and causes the cam I4 to return to its initial or zero positionin case there is an over-running or overshooting of the clutch slightlypast its zero or initial position.

The switch means I0 is provided with a stationary contact 2I carried bythe terminal 25 and a movable contact 22 carried by a spring arm 23electrically connected to the terminal 24. The spring arm 23 is actuatedby means of a second cam I5. This cam I 5 is provided with a pluralityof teeth 26, any one of which may bepositloned 3 below the spring arm 23and may thus serve to hold the switch in open position as shown inFigures 3, 4, and 5. The second cam or toothed wheel I has motionrelative to the rst cam I4, the rst cam being rigidly connected to theshaft and the second cam being driven from the rst cam by means of a pin2l.

It is preferable to form the tooth IN1 so thatit includes 30- of thecamand the tooth I8` so-thatl it includes 42 of the cam, the two teethtogether including a total of 72. There are ve pairsof teeth for the camI4 and i'ive projecting; teeth: 26 for the cam I5.

Assuming that a signal or-,gin-othen wordscnergy is transmitted to thepiloteline; itiisyapparent that both motors will operate-anddrive-theirrespective cams, the cams of therst receiverfrcr tating at exactly halfthe speed of the cams of the second receiver. Considering first theoperation of the second receiver alone, it is apparent thatyif,'aesignalpersistsfor eight seconds with .the parts in the positionshown inFigure 2, that; the cam. I4 will' heA driven slightly past: theposition shown. Figure 3f andthe camA I4: willreturn to such-.positionwith the. contactmeans IU open.`

It is. to be notedthat whenthe switch or contact means .isin the oirpositionv itv may, upon a,subsequentsigna1ilasting for-six seconds, movethe.cam to vthepdsition .shown in YEigure .2; thusclosing the contacts.

It is to be noted particularly, with-.referenceto the Ifirst-:receiverlgrthatits cam Mimoves only p art of the lengthofany. one o its teethfor either: of theseifsignals..andreturns to its zero. orinitialposition-.aften eachsignall: Thus. the second receiver can beoperatedwithout:operating the.rst;rec.eiver.

Onthe other. hand, if it isA desired; to,operate theV first receiver, a.signal'. transmitted for'` opening ortclosing which isabout twice.. inlength o similarsignals for the secondireceiver,xthat.is to. sayithesignalwhich isitransmitted'forthereceiverblasts-.for aperiod ofthirteen seconds for an on signal or sixteen seconds-foranfcff signal.A

The. purpose kofthis particularzrelationbetween. theflength vcisignals;- or energzatiomof the kpi-lotlne Outlined `her@izmir-bo.ve:is ias tor cause eitherthe selective operationA 1 of: t11e-:,secondiyreceiver alone onor the first and second receiversl'simul-, taneously.Further, it'isgto begnotedthatwhetr either the long orgshort signalistransmittedthat the f secondreceiver will, operate: for 'a'.complete;cycle, that isjto say, two teeth will pass the-cam follower and thevreceiver will-be again placedrin: the position* inl which it vwaspriorto thefrecepeY tion` ofthe-signal foroperatingthe first receiver;

In greater detail, the,immediately precediniitr` facts -may be statedbypointing o utthatzwhent the short signal forthe first receiverwhichlasts. for thirteensecondsisreceived by the second re,- ceveraswellas the rst receiver, that the second receiver. will, rotateitspam. ,pasttwo teetlrsince: the :total time? required. for this :operation .offthesecond receiverds only ztwelveisecondsn. However; it-will not rotate it-.pastthree teethof rthe. secs ond :receiver for thefsum: of the: timeArequired: for any three teeth of the second receiverismore. thanthirteen seconds. On thefothenzhand; suppose therv signal.: for: the..first: receiver.` lastedsfor:

sixteeriseconds.` 'I'hisagain wouldfcauseithe irst.;

receiver to. rotaterits cam. past .two Vteethv but :not pastithree-teethsince the :time required ffonfthc:

lessifthnn.theisixteen-secondsignala Furthenflt m to be noted that thesecond receiver cannot ro-J tate past three teeth since the sum of thetime required for any three teeth of the second receiver is more thansixteen seconds.

It is apparent from the above, that the selective operation of eitherthe second receiver alone or the simultaneous operation of bothreceivers may; be:l obtained;L

Further it is clear that`V when the second receiver operates due to asignal intended for the operation of the first receiver, that it willmove a.. completecycle and the switch will be in the same position whereit was at the time such signalWas-received rIYhe result of this is thatif the second receiver Ahad been in the on position, it willrctatefmome'ntarily past the oi position andrbacm to :the:on position.correspondingly, if the second receiver had been in the olf position-itwill rotate to the on" position and then again back to the oif'position. This will do no harmrtoL-thecontrolled loads'. Foi'- example,if the-.respectiverstf and second: loads are.4 for:astreetlightingsystem.and for aiseriesof Water heaters, respectively,.it is clear thatthe 'momentary.I interruption', of: the energization ofwater heaterI loadswill,dcrnoharrn Eachreceiveris sofmade that-if? aspurious or.` a signal less than that required temperate the re-- ceiveriis receivedthz-xt'.-` no: faulty;V operation 1 iso'ccasioned..Ferraz-:ample if aspurious2signa'l:is1 received; with the. parts-fin rthe position shown in Figure'zS and of,l less duration thatthat of thedesired? signal, the .'parts may move to` the-posi-- tionishowrrinFigure'i. Upon cessation'of the spurious signal, the .reaction ofithecam follower I6 and .the cam* I I: isP such that the parts movef back tothe position as shown in Figure :5i-forinstance The: receivers' per seform no partof the present invention: They may, be` constructedin theman-- ner described in thecopending application of yAnthonyVanfRyan,;.Serial No. 213,793, filed-March 3;' 1951; forfRemote ControlledSwitch, assigned to the Vsaine fassignee las thel present invention-.f

It will 1b`e-x seen that a. simple r remote control system hasb'eerrprovided byithis'invention which isfcertain in `itsf'operation.Iandwhich isA very; sim-y pleandwhich mayibe cheaph'finstled.

It will befseertfurther.that'anysuitable typezov signaltransmittingmeansformeansifor .energizing thepilotflinemaybeemployedasasethese devicesare wellknown; Y

Further, it'desiredaa'Ilrstiand'afsecond receiver:v mayinstailednat thetransmitting station .as indicated by the reference-,characters RnRn,such receivers being respectively identicallydike therst andsysecondfreceivers hereinabove discussed. These receivers R1 andRz--willact as-tell-taleireoei-vers;-

Although thisinventioxr has been .describedfini considerable detail-lait:fisatosbe understoodrth'at such, .description` is f intended asillustrative lrath-- er thamlimitingas the invention may beverl-` ouslyvembodied..v and is to be:r interpreted. as claimed.,

Iclaim.;

1...In ,a ,remote.contro1 lsystem, a. power line..

a rst andja second 1oad,a st switch means and.

a second switch means. controlling the .connecting and disconnecting ofsaldist'and second load,"A respectively; to said'pOWerline, a first anda sec;` ondv4 receiver controlling said rst and' secondf switch meansand'including `motor means operatively connected to saidfii'rstand'second* switch queens, respectively.' for.` operating saida-switchmeans, each motor means having closing and opening periods ofpredetermined lengths. the motor means of said rst receiver having eachof its respective periods longer than the sum of two periods and lessthan the sum of three periods of the motor means of said secondreceiver.

2. In a remote control system, a power line, a first and a second load,a first and a second receiver having switch means respectivelycontrolling the connecting and disconnecting of said first and secondloads to said power line and having motor means for operating therespective switch means, said second receiver having predeterminedclosing and opening periods and said rst receiver having closing andopening periods twice as long as the respective periods of said secondreceiver, a pilot line connecting the motor means of said receivers, andcontrol means for energizing said pilot line for predetermined periodsto selectively operate said second receiver or both said receiverssimultaneously.

3. In a remote control system, a power line, a rst and a second load, afirst and a second receiver having switch means respectively controllingthe connecting and disconnecting of said first and second loads to saidpower line and having motor means for operating the respective switchmeans, said second receiver having diierent predetermined closing andopening periods and said first receiver having diiferent predeterminedclosing and opening periods twice as long as the respective periods ofsaid second receiver, a pilot line connecting the motor means of saidreceivers, and control means for energizing said pilot line forpredetermined periods to selectively operate said second lreceiver orboth said receivers simultaneously.

4. In a remote control system, a power line, a first and a second load,a rst and a second receiver having switch means respectively controllingthe connecting and disconnecting of said first and second loads to saidpower line and having motor means for operating the respective switchmeans, said second receiver having different predetermined closing andopening periods and said iirst receiver having different predeterminedclosing and opening periods twice as long as the respective periods ofsaid second receiver, a pilot line connecting the motor means of saidreceivers, and control means for energizing said K 6 pilot line forpredetermined periods to selectively operate said second receiver orboth said receivers simultaneously, the shortest period of said rstreceiver being at least equal to the sum of both periods of said secondreceiver.

5. In a remote control system, a power line, a rst and a second load, arst and a second receiver having switch means respectively controllingthe connecting and disconnecting of said rst and second loads to saidpower line and having motor means for operating the respective switchmeans, said second receiver having different predetermined closing andopening periods and said rst receiver having different predeterminedclosing and opening periods twice as long as the respective periods ofsaid second receiver, a pilot line connecting the motor means of saidreceivers, and control means for energizing said pilot line forpredetermined periods to selectively operate said second receiver orboth said receivers simultaneously, the shortest period of said rstreceiver being at least equal to the sum of both periods of said secondreceiver and the longest period of said rst receiver being less than thesum of three periods of said second receiver.

6. In a remote control system, a power line, a iirst and a second load,a first and a second receiver having switch means respectivelycontrolling the connecting and disconnecting of said rst and secondloads to said power line and having motor means for operating therespective switch means, said second receiver having differentpredetermined closing and opening periods and said first receiver havingdifferent predetermined closing and opening periods twice as long as therespective periods of said second receiver, each of said receivershaving biasing means for returning its motor means to its initialstarting position for each period when the motor means over-shoots, apilot line connecting the motor means of said receivers, and controlmeans for energizing the pilot line for predetermined periods slightlygreater than the periods of the respective motor means to selectivelyoperate said second receiver or both of said receivers simultaneously.

HECTOR RAWCLIFFE PUTZ` No references cited.

